Small daisy weevil

Systematic position: Anthonomus pulicarius belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. It is a specialized snout beetle species that primarily targets floral and ornamental plants, often causing significant damage to the reproductive structures of its hosts.

Host plants: This pest primarily feeds on plants within the Asteraceae family. It is most commonly associated with daisies (Bellis perennis), asters, and other related ornamental flowers. The presence of the weevil is often identified by the damage caused to flower buds during the spring and early summer seasons.

Biology and life cycle: The insect undergoes complete metamorphosis. Adults overwinter in soil debris or protected areas near host plants. As temperatures rise in spring, they emerge, feed on young foliage and buds, and initiate the reproductive process. Eggs are deposited inside the developing buds, where the larvae hatch and complete their development, often pupating within the flower head itself.

Nature of damage and economic impact: The primary damage is inflicted by larvae feeding on the developing reproductive organs inside the buds. This prevents the flower from opening properly or causes premature necrosis and shedding. Adult feeding creates small punctures on leaves and petals, which, while less destructive than larval feeding, can significantly reduce the ornamental value of plants.

Protection measures: Management of Anthonomus pulicarius requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach:

• Strict sanitation by removing and destroying infested buds and plant debris in autumn.
• Deep tilling of the soil around host plants to disrupt overwintering sites.
• Monitoring of populations during the budding phase to determine the need for chemical intervention.
• Application of approved insecticides specifically targeting the bud-forming period if infestation thresholds are reached.